Tonight's chapter of Jotham's Journey takes us into the darkest moment yet—a terrifying descent from joy to captivity, from freedom to slavery. What begins as hopeful celebration during the Feast of Trumpets transforms into betrayal, violence, and despair. Jotham finds himself stripped, bound, and sold like merchandise, his feet bleeding, his back scarred from the whip, his heart shattered by loneliness. Yet in this darkness, something extraordinary happens: salvation arrives in the most unexpected form—a fool. Not a mighty warrior or wealthy merchant, but someone society has dismissed as insane. This powerful narrative mirrors the central mystery of Christmas itself, as referenced in Isaiah 7:14, where God promises a virgin will bear a son called Immanuel. Just as the Jewish people expected their Messiah to arrive as a conquering king with armies, we too often expect God to work through power and prestige. Instead, our salvation came as a vulnerable baby in a manger, born to humble parents. The fool who saves Jotham represents how God's wisdom appears foolish to the world, yet accomplishes what no human strength could achieve. We're reminded that when we find ourselves in our darkest caves—bound by fear, stripped of dignity, facing impossible circumstances—God's deliverance may come in ways we never imagined. The question becomes: will we recognize our Savior when He doesn't match our expectations?